For Book-Hungry Readers

Books I’m scared to read // Because pain + heartbreak galore???

It is a well-known fact, by now, that books = pain. If you were not aware, wellll now you know!! Of course there are some books that are full of FLUFF AND SUNSHINE which is good because they partially heal the hole in my heart after reading the particularly emotional ones (*cries*) but there are still a whole bunch I am currently half-avoiding like the plague?? And so I thought I might share those with you guys today!

Oh my gosh, these 5 books literally have a black and blue-ish colour scheme and IT’S SO OMINOUS it must be a signnnnn of all the heartbreak omg. It’s so aesthetic though I kind of really love it because often in my lists the covers don’t match at all and I cry. BUT THESE ONES DO. So yayyyy!!

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare: I’ve probably said this so many times, mentioned this book so many times, but I will neverrrrr be ready for this one!! Until, like the third book is released but that’s in another TWO YEARS and I can’tttt. Apparently the cliffhanger in this one is brutal and AGH. Struggles.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber: I haven’t heard anything of heartbreak for this one?? Mostly I’m scared to read it because there’s been SO MUCH HYPE and I’ve kind of been putting it off for that reason I think? Because what if I don’t like it? I mean, I know it’s not a big deal if I don’t but I WANT to like it. But if I don’t?? Strugglesssss.

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma: Okay, so this deals with a controversial topic? But apparently it’s really good but also very heartbreaking? Sooo I have double the reasons to fear!! Because it’s a story about incest and that’s not really my scene?? But there’s also been lots of hype from other bloggers I know saying it’s good SO I AM TORN.

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab: Ahhh don’t get me wrong, I’m super excited for this and I probably will end up reading it sooner than LoS haha. I’m just worried because this is the last book of the Monsters of Verity duology and I am kind of really scared as to what will happen?? MY POOR CHILDREN. ❤

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera: Firstly, it’s Adam Silvera! AKA Heartbreak galore??! Secondly, it’s titled, THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END. Could you get any more heartbreaking (and spoilery loll) than that?? I’m going to get attached to these characters only to have them ripped away from meeeeeee WHY.

Looooook now it’s an orange-y/pink/brown theme!! I love this but also SUPER SCARED. Yes.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: I’m not sure about the amount of PAIN found in this one (but knowing books probably there is) but guys!! HYPE HYPE HYPE was everywhere when this was being released omg. And I started it once but didn’t get into it?? So indeed I am fearful because I really do want to like ittttt. *cries*

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson: It’s Morgan Matson! How can you be scared of a Morgan Matson book?? Stop judging meeee I’ve heard this one is heartbreaking (shouldn’t be surprised at this point but here we are) and this made people CRY so guyssss must. prepare. for. heartbreak. I do want to read this though!!

I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios: Another book I’ve heard is super emotional or at least has made them cry!! WHYYY will books not allow my heart to rest in one piece?? I’ve done nothingggg to them. NOTHING. I think.

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson: Okay, out of all of these ones, this one seems like the one that deals with the most… tough topics? I can’t do it justice, seeing how I haven’t read it but reading other reviews, makes me want to read this book asap but also run and hide because EMOTIONS. And heartbreak!! But it also sounds so incredible. So.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak: I knowwwww I still haven’t read this book?? Stahhp looking at me like that. 😛 I swear I will read it! I will!!

That was a surprisingly short list/post?? Either I am forgetting books/don’t know about other emotional books or I’m actually a fearless reader who is hardly affected by emotions? Shh I can dream. But TELL ME: which of these books have you read?? How much do I need to fear them??? Are they very heartbreaking/painful, not very much? Or which of these books do you still have on your TBR/have added to your TBR? OOH and what books have made you CRY??! Let us discuss!! While admiring the aesthetics of these covers and crying over the fact that books can stomp on our hearts so easily.

*HYPERVENTILATES* I for the Book Theif as a gift like a week ago and SO NEED TO READ IT. We shall do this together Anallee, somehow. I haven’t read Our Savage Song, or The Mortalk Instruments, or They Both Die at the end or anything by adam silvera or alledgedly or caraval SO JUST COUNT ME AS SCARED

You don’t need to worry about Caraval being super sad. There was some sad stuff, but in the end it’s all good. It didn’t quite live up to my expectations, but I still thought it was good. As far as Second Chance Summer goes…yeah. Get yourself a brand new box of kleenex. I cried like a baby.

Whenever you get around to Lord Of Shadows, PREPARE YOURSELF. That book man. And that god damn ENDING. I can’t believe Cassie is making us wait to years to know how things continue! That’s so BRUTAL and MEAN. Caraval might be a disappointment as people seem to either really love it or hate it – it feels like there’s no real in between sometimes! I did enjoy it, but compared to everything else I’ve read this year it definitely doesn’t stand out anymore.

I have never read a single Adam Silvera book but people really love him and are always talking about all the FEELS so I’m sure They Both Die At The End is going to destroy EVERYONE. I mean, how can it not with that premise??

Second Chance Summer and The Book Thief BROKE me. I sobbed so much, I can’t even. I wasn’t too much into Illuminae to be honest, but Gemina was more my thing somehow. But I want to read so many of the books you mentioned as well, but I am scared too … especially of Our Dark Duett ending … I don’t want it to end *sobs*

AHHHH NOOO 😰😳 I NEED to read them both omg I so want to but goshhhh the heartbreak?? Oh, it’s too bad you didn’t enjoy Illuminae very much but it’s good you liked Gemina!! I KNOWWWW I’m not ready for Our Dark Duet 😭😭

Do NOT be afraid to read Caraval and The Book Thief!!!! They are both super amazing even though they’ll make you cry from either tears of joy/sadness! The Book Thief’s ending is like a bullet in the chest, and Caraval makes you get super swept away!

Ahhh I am so worried for the tears in The Book Thief though!! 😭😅 I can’t wait to read both of them nonetheless but still the HEARTBREAK. And oooh Caraval definitely sounds amazing! The Book Thief sounds amazing as well but I’m not ready for the bullet omg. 🙈

The only one I’ve started and managed to finish is The Book Thief, and boy do I recommend it. It took me forever to get into (the writing is a little strange at first, but it’s still really good) and it’s very feelsy, but amazing!

Caraval won’t break your heart, but it’s still really good! You shouldn’t be afraid to read it because while there may be some stuff that happens and it might get tense everything works out in the end. I just read and reviewed it recently if you wanna check it out, it’s spoiler free: https://lizziebookblogging.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/review-caraval/

When I first saw the pictures I was a little confused to see Caraval there because there wasn’t really any heartbreak in that book, then I read your comment and realised it was because of the hype! 🙂 A lot more understandable so I really hope that when/if you do get around to Caraval you really love it, same with Illuminae actually. Probably not helping matters but I loved both books, either way I’ll be very interested to see what you think of them.
The Book Thief is an all-time favourite of mine, so I really really can’t wait to see what you think of that one. Yeah it’s a heartbreaking book but an amazing one as well! 🙂
Great post Analee! 😀 ❤

Waiting for the last book is a great strategy, if you don’t like to be left hanging, but I have severe FOMO and also – SPOILERS! The moderator of Cassandra Clare’s panel at BookCon let out a HUGE LoS spoiler. I feel robbed! And Second Chance Summer = all the tears. I was a snotty mess with my eyes crusted over. Kind of shocking since you know from the beginning how the book will end.
Sam @ WLABB

SO TRUE!! Having all the books released before picking them up is the best solution to painful cliffhangers haha 😂 UGHHHH SPOILERS!! They are the worst 😤 Aww no seriously?? That’s awful for you and so inconsiderate on their part!! AGHH REALLY?? Everyone seems to be saying it’s a tearjerker, oh boy. Oh is that so? That’s such an interesting set up! 😊

I’M TERRIFIED OF LORD OF SHADOWS AND OUR DARK DUET AS WELL! I haven’t been spoiled, but I’ve heard heart-breaking things about them, AND I AM NOT PREPARED! I have an ARC of They Both Die At the End and can’t wait to read it ugh! I AM READY FOR THOSE FEELS! Illuminae and Caraval were both totally worth it! ❤

I KNOW RIGHT?!? 😰😭😵 AGH SAME. Everyone has been saying how heartbreaking they are and I am NOT READY. OH LUCKY!!! So jealous haha I can’t wait to see what you think of it!! ❤️❤️ I am 99% sure you’ll love it haha. Tell meeee how much heartbreak I should expect! 😂 OOH YAY I’m so glad to hear that!!

I just finished The Book Thief for the first time (I had been putting it off for five years) and it tore my heart to shreds. You have a right to fear that one.
I also have read Illuminae and Caravel and neither of them were worth the hype in my opinion.

Forbidden is absolutely amazing. I don’t think incest is really anyone’s scene? But that’s why this book is so important, I think. Because it does happen out there, and no one talks about it. But yes, tears galore with this one.

I know Illuminae and This Savage Song are on my TBR already but I’m scared to read them too because I’m not sure I’ll like them.
I’ve only ever watched the movie for The Book Thief and I know it’s not going to be the same but imo they did a REALLY good job with the movie and it was SAD like REALLY SAD. So yes, prepare to have your heart broken into a million tiny pieces. D: I was like sobbing when I saw it in the theater when it came out and it’s one of those movies I think I can only handle watching once in a lifetime so now I’m a little glad I didn’t read the book because I don’t know if I could handle it. XD.

Ahah right? Hype can be so intimidating. 😳🙈 This Savage Song was amazing though! I hope you like it!
GOSH I KNOW. 😭 I haven’t watched the movie, but from what I’ve been hearing, the book and movie are both so heartbreaking. 😰 Ahhh really?! I AM SO SCARED NOW oh my gosh.

Lord of Shadows is heartbreaking, particularly the ending! The Book Thief is another one for me that had me sobbing at the end. I’m still yet to read Caraval and Illuminae, and They Both Die at the End is also on my TBR! I hope you get to read these soon, if they are as heartbreaking as you expect, it means the writer’s done a good job! 🙂

Great post Analee! I loved Caraval and Illuminae! They’re pretty amazing reads and don’t worry there’s not much heart wrenching scenes in them. I just started our dark duet and I’m hoping that it won’t disappoint me.

Thank you Raven!! Ahah yes that’s what I heard, I’m mostly worried that I won’t enjoy them, so I’ve kind of been avoiding them? Haha. I’m so glad you enjoyed them though!! EEEP I hope so as well!! Can’t wait to read your thoughts. ❤

I just finished Lord of Shadows this week and it is definitely a heartbreaker–I had no idea that that was going to be the case either so I was a little shaken. It’s almost as heartbreaking as having to wait 2 years to get a resolution. WHY!?!??!

I was hesitant too to try Forbidden but OH MY GOODNESS! I got sucked in. That story is so much more than a story about incest. And I made the mistake of reading it when I had a desk job one summer and it was hard to hold back the tears!

Agh really?!? Oh gosh going into it unaware of the heartbreak must’ve been such a shock! YES I KNOW RIGHT?? 2 years is an insaneeee amount of time, how are we expected to deal?? 😭😵

Oh that makes me want to read it so much more! I wasn’t too sure but so many people seemed to have loved it–and gosh, I can imagine it must’ve been difficult if the book is as heartbreaking as people say!! 🙈

This is such a nice post !! But also I like cry 25/7 while I’m reading, so I have no fear??? Like I’m going to be sobbing whether or not the author tried to make me do so 😥
Basically I’m an emotional wreck *finger guns*

(also I want to read illuminae and they both die at the end, so badly !!!!!!!!! I have been waiting for so long and I just)

Thank you!! 😊 HAHA I’m the opposite, it’s very rare I cry?? SO I FEAR IMMENSELY the books that might make me haha though I simultaneously want to read them so bad. 🙈 Ahah really? What books have made you cry before? 🤔 Curious now haha. You’re nottt!

I haven’t read Caraval either and will probably wait for a couple of months before getting to it. TOO much hype, too much stress, I don’t think I can handle it ahahah.
You need to read Second Chance Summer and I’ll Meet You There – both are among my favorite books, they’re just so, so great, emotional for sure but incredible and unforgettable. I am SO impatient for you to read them 😀

Right?? Everyone seems to either love or hate it and I am so not sure where I’m going to fall ahah. SAME 😂
AGH I SO WANT TO!! But gosh the feeeeeeeels. Need to be in the right mood haha but they sound so amazing! I’m so glad you loved them, I’ll let you know when I read them eep!! 🙈 (Hopefully I won’t just screech about my broken heart but… :P)

This is such a great topic, and I totally feel the same way about a lot of books!! I think sometimes you just have to be in the mood to get your heart broken?? If that makes sense??? Like if it’s a nice sunny day I probably won’t be in the mood to read something soul crushing, but if the weather’s rainy or cold and depressing already I may be like “Okay let’s go for it, let’s read something THAT’S GONNA HURT.”

I’ve read The Book Thief twice and both times sobbed my eyes out. Usually I may shed a tear or two if a book is sad, but it’s rare a book makes me really cry! But it’s one of my favorite books ever!!

Thank you!! And right?? I can’t wait to read them but at the same time soooo much heartbreak. Yes I agree!! Like there are just certain times where I WANT something emotional haha idek why?? 😂 Oh yes very true!! Right now the weather is so sunny for me and I’ve so been in the mood for cute contemporaries. 🙈 SAMEE I just need to wait for a cold rainy day now… 👀

Everyone has been saying it made them cry, I’M NOT READY 😵 Yes same here! I don’t cry very often, it has to be a *very* good book if it does!! Gosh now the fact YOU cried is making me 100% sure I will be sobbing 😂 I totally want to read it!!

I’m scared to read Illuminae as well!!! I’ve had it on my shelves for so long and it sounds so intriguing and the format is AMAZING but I am so intimidated! Thank god May convinced me to buddy read it with her so now I can’t avoid it any longer 😂

Right?? I’m so glad I’m not the only one haha everyone seems to have read and loved it! The format is so totally unique, I loveee it!! Haha GOOD IDEA 😂 Let me know how it wassss because I will for sure continue avoiding it 😳😂

I HAVEN’T READ TBT EITHER!!! I need to but probably won’t… XD I so want to like Caraval but I’m scared I won’t! MWAHAHA I HAVE ALLEGEDLY CHECKED OUT AND I’M SO READY. And I just finished This Savage Song and MY HEART. I’m so scared for August and Kate and ILSA ILSA POOR ILSA. The only Silvera book I read was History Is All You Left Me and I gave it three stars!!! :(((( I’m hoping I’ll like More Happy Than Not better though. BUT I AM PREPARED TO BE HEARTBROKEN BY TBDATE. And Illuminae!!! I’m buddy-reading it with Jackie and I’m so excited to read it, but also scared because what if it doesn’t live up for the hype???

That’s what I’m scared of as well!!!! I mean, I’m sure Illuminae is a great book but what if my expectations ARE WAY TOO HIGH and I’ll end up disappointed????? (That’s also the reason why I’m scared to read Six of Crows 😭😭😭😭)

RIGHT? Everyone seems to have loved it though so I knowwww I will probably read it?? Someday??? Possibly? Haha me toooo agh.
Ahhhh really?? ARE YOU THOUGH. 👀🤔 Tell me how it issss!!
I KNOWWWWW oh my gosh my preciousness 😭❤❤ ODD is going to KILL ME.
Nooooooo that’s so sad!! I hope so too agh Adam Silvera is one of my favourite authors ever 🙈
HOW ARE YOU SO READY FOR HEARTBREAK?? 😰
EXACTLY! I hope you guys enjoy it though?!

Man, I love heartbreaking books that make me cry! I’ve read The Book Thief and I’ll Meet You There. I tried Forbidden but couldn’t get past 10%, not because of incest but I just didn’t like the writing (unpopular opinion here though!). I’ll Meet You There was just okay. Of these three, I think only The Book Thief lived up to its hype!

I can confirm that They Both Die at the End, Illuminae and The Book Thief are DEVASTATING, but in THE BEST WAY. It took me so long to read The Book Thief, but I FINALLY did last year and it was so worth it. All three of those are favourites of mine!! If it helps I really enjoyed Caraval! I think it was marketed a bit wrong because it’s not really a “circus” book more of a performance once, but it’s super whimsical and magical imo!!